Indiana men’s basketball has a roster full of new faces, with six transfers and freshman forward Bryson Tucker joining forces to build a team that entered the season ranked No. 17 in the nation.
After their three-game in three-day stretch at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas that featured two blowout losses and a decisive victory, the Hoosiers seemed far too similar to the team that fell short of expectations last season.
But instead of letting its struggles linger, Indiana left its baggage in Nassau — at least for Tuesday night, when the Hoosiers (6-2) cruised to a 97-71 triumph over Sam Houston State University (4-5) inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice led Indiana in scoring, while senior forward Luke Goode and junior forward Malik Reneau added 18 points apiece. Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako scored 13 points.
Perhaps more than they have all season, the Hoosiers showed their balance, depth and high-end raw skill that Goode believes comprises “one of the most talented teams in the country.”
“The day that I got here, every single guy that's getting major minutes and even the guys that aren't, the talent on this team is ridiculous,” Goode said. “I think it's the best talent this program has had in a long time.”
Fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway said as much during Big Ten Media Day on Oct. 3 — but Indiana largely didn’t look the part in the Bahamas. Reneau cited effort and a lack of attention to detail for the Hoosiers’ 89-61 loss to the University of Louisville on Nov. 27, and results weren’t much better during Indiana’s 89-73 loss to Gonzaga University the day after.
Indiana head coach Mike Woodson left Nassau wanting better effort and toughness. He relayed as much to his team upon landing in Bloomington on Nov. 30. On Tuesday night, the Hoosiers showed they listened.
“All toughness,” Goode said. “It comes down to who plays the hardest. I think we just didn't play the hardest (in the Bahamas). It's something we fixed during the week. I think we came out today and played a lot harder on defense.”
Goode added the Hoosiers tweaked some things, including their rotation. Indiana, which played without injured sophomore guards Kanaan Carlyle and Gabe Cupps, played fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal a season-high 25 minutes.
Through the first seven games of the season, Leal played only five minutes. Woodson, who was asked twice to elaborate on why Leal played more, merely said it was his decision before later citing the losses of Carlyle and Cupps.
Regardless of the reason, Leal, who scored 4 points but played tenacious defense and dished four assists, played a crucial role in Indiana’s victory. Alongside Goode and Tucker, Leal contributed to a 29-5 first-half run driven by the Hoosiers’ bench. Indiana finished with 36 bench points, a season-high mark.
“I thought it was a total team effort on everybody's part,” Woodson said. “Helps when your bench comes off and plays the way they did. Goode was fantastic tonight, but everybody off the bench played well. I'm pleased with our play on both ends of the floor.”
Indiana scored 97 points, its most in the regular season, while shooting 61.8% from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range. The Hoosiers ran in transition more Tuesday than in recent games — their 25 fastbreak points were their most since scoring 31 such points Nov. 10 against Eastern Illinois University.
Woodson said he’s been trying to get Indiana to run more and utilize more screen actions than it did earlier this season. That’s one message. Another centers around being the hardest-playing team in college basketball.
Goode thinks it’s why Indiana struggled in the Bahamas. The Hoosiers took it seriously, as Reneau said they held group meetings thereafter. Indiana bore the fruits of its labor Tuesday.
“After seeing the two losses we had where we didn't come out, lackadaisical and not ready to play, and being out toughed — we knew as individuals we got to pick all our stuff up,” Reneau said. “So that's what we did. It showed today.”
The Hoosiers are just past the one-fourth mark of their season and have plenty still to go. Their stretch in the Bahamas served as an early-year punch, one that may have put them at a crossroads — and in need of heightened urgency.
Indiana delivered an encouraging performance Tuesday night. It needs more going forward to prove its baggage truly was left in Nassau — and not just late getting back to Bloomington.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
